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Texas has more lakes than Minnesota, but only one -- Caddo -- is a natural lake. The rest are reservoirs that supply water to cities and offer recreational activities. Lakes with public access areas in southeast Texas are close to major metropolitan areas. They provide boating and fishing facilities, and most have campgrounds.

Lake Corpus Christi

Lake Corpus Christi, southwest of Mathis, is a 21,000-acre lake with a 356-acre state park built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. A refectory is the only original building remaining. The park offers swimming on an unsupervised beach, picnicking, bird watching, hiking and fishing for catfish, bass and crappie from two piers. Water skiing and motorized boats are allowed. Camping loops have a variety of resources, including electric and water hookups and bathhouses with and without showers.

Choke Canyon State Park

Choke Canyon State Park near Calliham consists of two units on Choke Canyon Reservoir, a water source for Corpus Christi. The South Shore day-use facility has lakeside picnic sites, two boat ramps, fish-cleaning tables and an overlook. The Calliham unit has a collection of campgrounds including sites with hookups, walk-in lakeside sites and several group activity buildings. Four boat ramps adjacent to the park provide access to the lake. The Calliham unit offers hiking and birding trails and a wildlife education center.

Lake Somerville

An extensive trail system is the highlight of Lake Somerville State Park. More than 20 miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails wind through the park. The Birch Creek unit on the north shore of the lake has a fishing jetty, family fishing pond, two boat ramps and a boat dock. Camping options include walk-in primitive sites, campsites with electricity and water and equestrian campsites. Nails Creek Unit on the south shore offers walk-in and equestrian campsites, a boat ramp and a kids fishing pond.

Lake Texana

Lake Texana east of San Antonio has 11,00 surface acres and 125 miles of shoreline. A state park covers 575 acres and offers motorized boating, water skiing and sailing. Swimming is allowed, but there are no designated areas or lifeguards. Fishing piers and an ADA accessible fishing jetty provide anglers access to crappie, white bass and catfish and a double boat ramp is open year round. Alligators live in coves around the lake and should be left alone. On summer weekends, rangers present interpretive programs.

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About the Author

Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.